Last Cup of Bead Soup with Lisa Boucher of Clayworks

Today is my third and last showing of work made with ceramic beads by Lisa Boucher of Clayworks.  You can read more about the Cup of Bead Soup project by clicking here.

All of the pendants Lisa sent me had an ocean them, so when I picked up the pendant with the double Atlantic auger shells on it, I knew I had to really play up that beachy theme.

I've had these wild vertagles shell wheels I bought from Beads and Pieces for a long time, and I finally figured out what to do with them -- make a fringe for the auger shell pendant.  I chose some copper chain from Ornamentea and set to work.  After a lot of wire wrapping, I added four of the ceramic accent beads Lisa sent, and finished everything off with some silk ribbon.  

"She Sells Sea Shells"

I learned a lot with this Cup of Bead Soup.  I tried some new things, and I still have a ways to go with the fiber techniques.  I don't come naturally to fiber, but I'll keep at it when the right beads come along, and I believe that Lisa's pendants and beads are a natural fit.  

Thank you so much to Lisa of Clayworks!  Please visit her at the following sites:

Shop: Clayworks by Lisa Boucher

Blog: Lisa's Clay Happenings

Happy Creating!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene and is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

2nd Cup of Bead Soup with Lisa Boucher of Clayworks

Today is my second showing of work made with ceramic beads by Lisa Boucher of Clayworks.  You can read more about the Cup of Bead Soup project by clicking here.

I think this is my favorite pendant of the group Lisa sent.  This necklace came together quickly and with very little thought.  I love when that happens!

I used bronze jump rings to connect the pendant to links of, of all things, an inexpensive chain I found at Ben Franklin.  Where I live, Ben Franklin is the closest thing to a Michaels there is.  I usually never buy beads or chain from either one, as they've knocked off bead-maker friends of mine, but sometimes they have things that I groove on.  In this case, it was a large-link antiqued brass chain that I knew I could take apart and use as links.

I used the smaller accent beads Lisa sent and dangled them in the center of the textured rings.  This is where I say I LOVE Vintaj 3" head pins. Yeah, yeah, I know -- way more wire than I need.  But I always make wrapped loops, and I like having plenty of wire to "crank" around the neck of the wire.  I also used Vintaj wire to link together the bone beads (again, a Michaels find).  Teeny tiny wood beads I rescued from a vintage necklace accent the ceramic beads.

I finished the top of the necklace with faux suede cording from Barbara Lewis.  I don't like large chain at the back of my neck because it annoys me and I'm always fiddling with it, and besides, I love how the color blends with the colors of the ceramic.  The clasp is another Vintaj piece.

I'm much happier with this piece than my last one.  And I REALLY appreciate the suggestions I received via post and email.  I think I'm going to rework it and add another strand of something to the linen.  I really DID want suggestions, and I'm glad you guys took me up on it.

Stay tuned for the last piece, coming soon!  In the meantime, please visit her at the following sites:

Shop: Clayworks by Lisa Boucher

Blog: Lisa's Clay Happenings

Happy Creating!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

1st Cup of Bead Soup with Lisa Boucher of Clayworks

Today is my first showing of work made with ceramic beads by Lisa Boucher of Clayworks.  You can read more about the Cup of Bead Soup project by clicking here.

I knew I was really going to be challenged by this month's beads.  I don't typically work with this style and the bail of the pendant I chose to work with today is a tough one at times to design with.  If you string with it, you have to be sure to but larger holes at the ends of the "tunnel" so the beads don't slide back and forth and you lose your center.  Then you need to make sure the beads aren't too big because you don't want the wire to show when the necklace is held up.  Making wire loops is an option, but then you get an entirely different drape.  All good things to keep in mind!

I wanted to challenge myself with some fiber this time and chose a length of raw linen I got from Stephanie Lee at a class I took with her.  The idea was to create a "caught in the sea by a net" image.  I have no idea if I created that or just created Amateur Hour.

As with most new mediums, I'm apprehensive and fly by the seat of my pants.  I have no idea what I'm doing.  I don't draw out plans.  I just wing it.  And sometimes that makes a really cool piece -- and sometimes it creates a piece that needs some work.  So I welcome your comments on how to make this better.

I started by knotting the linen at the sides of the pendant so it wouldn't slide.  Then I took some smaller pieces of thread and knotted on a few copper spacers, like flotsam caught in the net.

Next I added a ring from Vintaj that I filed to weather it a bit, knotted on the matching ceramic beads, more copper (both strung and knotted on), and finally the clasp at the top.  When I originally received this box of beads, I had plans for the clasp on the side of the necklace, but it just didn't look right this time.

I honestly have no idea what I've created.  Is it interesting?  Is it a flop?  Does it need something?  Should I start all over?  I know what I had in mind but I'm not sure I got there.  Any constructive comments are welcomed -- please don't say "oh lovely you rocked it you are the queen" when you have ideas!  That's how I learn.

One thing that shines, though -- Lisa's beads.  Not a THING wrong with those.  So please visit her at the following sites:

Shop: Clayworks by Lisa Boucher

Blog: Lisa's Clay Happenings

Happy Creating!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Cup of Bead Soup with Clayworks (and a lesson via Zack)

What is a "Cup of Bead Soup"?

Well, I wanted to continue the exciting challenge of the Bead Soup Blog Party, but this time for myself, challenging my skills by working with one artist a month.  I receive a package of beads each month, sight unseen, and then I create with them.  I blog here about the creations for a month, explaining techniques, thought processes, and obstacles I meet along the way.  It's also a great way to introduce you to new and exciting beads!

 July's Cup of Bead Soup is sponsored by Clayworks by Lisa Boucher.  I'm excited about working with Lisa's hand-painted clay beads and pendants because when I saw them, I thought about using a stringing form I rarely use -- fiber.  I'm not sure I'll be successful at translating my ideas into reality.


So let's take a look at what Lisa picked out!

I love this pendant with two Atlantic auger shells.  The hues of purple and blue/green are right up my alley.  Zack and I have spent some time searching for shells, beach glass, and shark teeth, and this pendant reminds me of that.

Another sea-themed pendant and more of her pretty beads.  I love these colors!  How about those swirls for the ocean waves?

This is really cool -- not only an awesome pendant, but one of Lisa's handmade ceramic toggles!  I already know the design I want to work with on this one, but still need to figure out if I can execute it.

My challenge with this month's Cup of Bead Soup is going to be transferring what's in my mind to my hands.  I have this problem with drawing as well, and recently Zack and I had a serious discussion about it.  Zack and I share the same perfectionism gene, and while it can be a good thing if controlled and understood, it can be devastating when you're little and each day seems to be your whole world.

It's important when creating, whether it's jewelry design, altered art, knitting, or what have you, to allow yourself to fail.  Some of the most exciting, interesting things have been brought into the world by what at first looks like a mistake.  This link talks about a LOT of cool things -- Post-It Notes, the Slinky, and potato chips weren't made intentionally.   And I just ordered this book to help Zack understand that mistakes aren't the end of the world.

Please visit Clayworks at the following sites:

Shop: Clayworks by Lisa Boucher

Blog: Lisa's Clay Happenings

Happy Creating!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.